FOREIGN.

SPAIN. No apparent progress seems to have been made, during another month, towards the internal arrangements and tranquillity of this afflicted country. The long-promised amnesty has not yet been issued,-a sufficient proof in itself of the difficulties which are felt in balancing hostile parties. The presence of the French army of occupation secures a temporary cessation from active civil warfare; but the elements of discontent and disturbance remain just where they were-or, rather, they seem to be silently increasing, instead of diminishing. The government finds it impracticable to procure either money or soldiers; and even their own friends appear to be contending as warmly among themselves as with their common enemies.

The king has at length been induced to issue a decree in favour of the freedom of commerce with the Spanish Colonies. Spain still retains her alleged right of sovereignty over then, but allows all nations in friendly relations with the mother country to trade with them on the footing of equal reciprocal duties. France will now obtain its share of access to the South-American continent. As for the powers already in habits of commerce with that continent, nothing is gained, except a formal recognition, which may for the time obviate a few technical inconveniences, but will rather tend to embarrass than settle the ultimate question. It cannot be supposed that either the colonies, or any power which may chance to be at war with Spain, will allow that hostile relations with the mother country shall exclude the parties from the South-American market.

The king has also issued another decree, prohibiting the introduction of all foreign publications into Spain, except such as shall be approved by the government censors. The prohibition extends to all languages, and every species of writing. Copies of the sacred Scriptures, we fear, will not readily be allowed to pass this bigoted

barrier.

GREECE. The intelligence respecting the affairs of Greece and Turkey, for want of regular official communi

cations, is necessarily partial and uncertain. The following are among the recent reports--that Odysseus was master of Carystos in Euboea, and was besieging Erythre;-that Negropont was closely blockaded, if not captured, by the Greeks;-that the castle of Patros was so pressed that many Turkish families were leaving the place, and that the Greek prisoners in it had been liberated; that Maurocordato had begun the siege of Lepanto, and of the castle of Cape Autirrion ;-and that the highest degree of enthusiasm prevailed among the Greeks, particuJarly on account of the assistance they had received from Great Britain, France, and Germany. Two printingpresses have been established at Missolongo, to promulgate the acts of the Government; and a journal was to be commenced, entitled the Hellenic Chronicle. The Turks, on the other hand, seem greatly reduced in power, whether by land or sea; being unable to procure funds sufficient to carry on any important operations.

DOMESTIC.

Parliament was opened on the Sd of February. The King's Speech was delivered by commission, his Majesty being unwell. We shall give the document entire, though it be somewhat long, as it contains a comprehensive and most satisfactory view of the great interests and relations of the country. "My Lords and Gentlemen

"We are commanded by his Majesty to express to you his Majesty's deep regret, that, in consequence of indisposition, he is prevented from meeting you

in Parliament upon the present occasion.

"It would have been a peculiar satisfaction to his Majesty, to be enabled in person to congratulate you on the prosperous condition of the country.

"Trade and Commerce are extending themselves both at home and abroad.

"An increasing activity pervades almost every branch of manufacture.

"The growth of the Revenue is such as not only to sustain public credit, and of our resources, but (what is yet more to prove the unimpaired productiveness gratifying to his Majesty's feelings) to evince a diffusion of comfort among the great body of the people.

"Agriculture is rising from the depression under which it laboured, and,

by the steady operation of natural causes, is gradually re-assuming the sta tion to which its importance entitles it, among the great interests of the nation.

"At no former period has there prevailed, throughout all classes of the comImunity in this island, a more cheerful spirit of order, or a more just sense of the advantages which, under the bless ing of Providence, they enjoy.

"In Ireland, which has for some time past been the object of his Majesty's particular solicitude, there are many indications of amendment, and his Majesty relies upon your continued endeavours to secure the welfare and happiness of that part of the kingdom.

"His Majesty commanded us further to inform you, that he has every reason to believe that the progress of our internal prosperity and improvement will not be disturbed by any interruption of tranquillity abroad.

His Majesty continues to receive from the Powers his Allies, and generally from all Princes and States, assurances of their earnest desire to maintain and cultivate the relations of friendship with his Majesty; and nothing is omitted on his Majesty's part, as well to preserve general peace, as to remove any causes of disagreement, and to draw closer the bonds of amity between other Nations and Great Britain.

"The Negotiations which have been so long carried on through his Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, for the arrangement of differences between Russia and the Ottoman Porte, are, as his Majesty flatters himself, drawing near to a favourable termination.

"A Convention has been concluded between his Majesty and the Emperor of Austria, for the settlement of the pe cuniary claims of the country upon the Court of Vienna.

"His Majesty has directed that a copy of this Convention shall be laid before you, and he relies on your assistance for the execution of some of its provisions. "Anxiously as his Majesty deprecated the commencement of the war in Spain, he is every day more satisfied that in the strict neutrality which he determined to observe in that contest (and which you so cordially approved), he best consulted the true interests of his people.

With respect to the provinces of America which have declared their separation from Spain, his Majesty's conduct has been open and consistent; and his opinions have been at all times fairly avowed to Spain and to other Powers.

"His Majesty has appointed Consuls to reside at the principal ports and places of those provinces, for the protection of the trade of his subjects.

"As to any further measures, his Ma

jesty has reserved to himself an unfettered discretion, to be exercised as the circumstances of those countries and the interests of his own people may appear to his Majesty to require.

"Gentlemen of the House of
Commons,

"His Majesty has directed us to in form you, that the Estimates for the year are prepared, and shall be forthwith laid before you.

"The numerous points at which, under present circumstances, his Majesty's naval force is necessarily distributed, and the occasion which has arisen for strengthening his garrisons in the West Indies, have rendered unavoidable some augmentation of his establishments by sea and land.

"His Majesty has, however, the grati fication of believing, that, notwithstanding the increase of expense, incident to these augmentations, it will still be in your power, after providing for the services of the year, to make arrangements in some parts of our system of taxation, which may afford relief to certain impor tant branches of the national industry. "My Lords and Gentlemen,

"His Majesty has commanded us to acquaint you, that he has not been inattentive to the desire expressed by the House of Commons in the last session of Parliament, that means should be de. vised for ameliorating the condition of the Negro Slaves in the West Indies.

"His Majesty has directed the necessary information relative to this subject to be laid before you.

"His Majesty is confident that you will afford your best attention and assistance to any proposition which may be submitted to you, for promoting the moral improvement of the Negroes, by au extended plan of religious instruc tion, and by such other measures as may, gradually conduce to the same end.

"But his Majesty earnestly recom-. mends to you to treat the whole subject, with the calmness and discretion which it demands.

"To excite exaggerated expectations in those who are the objects of your benevolence, would be as fatal to their welfare as to that of their employers.

"And his Majesty assures himself you will bear in mind, that where the correction of a long-standing and complicated system, and the safety of large classes of his Majesty's subjects are involved, that course of proceeding is alone likely to attain practical good, and to avoid aggravation of evil, in which regard shall be paid to considerations of justice, and in which caution shall temper zeal."

The topics of the Speech being on all hands allowed to be so generally of a satisfactory kind, no amendment.

was moved to the Address. The chief point of disapprobation insisted upon by the Opposition, was the conduct of Government towards Spain, which they considered had been marked by too cautious and vacillating a course of policy. Lord Liverpool and Mr. Canning defended the measures of Government, particularly on the ground of the rashness of provoking hostilities, in which we must have soon become principals, at great risk, expense, and bloodshed, and without any probability of ultimate honour or advantage.

The proceeding of the session will afford us opportunity of adverting to several topics alluded to in the Speech, as they arise in the course of public business. For the present, we must content ourselves with the expression of our joy-and we would add, our humble gratitude to God, the Father of all mercies personal and nationalfor the strongly marked improvement which has taken place in the general condition of the country, and for the peace, prosperity, and satisfaction which it is at the present moment our lot to enjoy. May we never deserve to forfeit these blessings!

The business of the session has scarcely yet fully commenced; but several discussions of some importance have occurred, connected chiefly with the domestic policy and improvement of the kingdom. The aspect of the times is peculiarly favourable for the investigation of subjects of this kind, which, in more busy sessions, and at seasons of warmer party feeling, have been too much in danger of being neglected. The repeal of the Usury Laws is proceeding favourably through the House of Commons.--Another measure also of enlightened policy, the repeal of the penalties for the Exportation of Machinery and the Emigration of Mechanics, is commenced under favourable auspices. The Committee appointed to examine into the bearings of these questions, is also to report on the operation of the perplexed code of our Combination Laws, with a view to ascertain whether it is not desirable to get rid of this cumbrous machinery, and to allow labour to find its proper level, without legal interference between the employer and his workman. The matter, if left to itself, would in the end fairly adjust its own average, to the mutual benefit of both parties.-The subject of the Poor Laws, also, is likely to attract parliamentary attention, and,

we would trust, not without some advance towards a safe and effectual amelioration, or rather extinction, of the present injurious system-Mr. Martin is zealously proceeding in his efforts to repress the crime of Cruelty to Animals, and to a considerable degree with success, though not to so wide a range as his humane feelings would honourably desire.-Mr. Stuart Wortley has renewed his claim to public gratitude by a bill to amend the Game Laws, which we most earnestly hope may not be lost in the House of Lords. The present code is both unjust and most unwise; and to its operation we owe a large portion of the crimes which fill our jails and afflict the country. Mr. Wortley proposes to protect the game, to benefit the owner of it, and to abolish poaching, by making the article legally saleable, under due restrictions.

But one of the most important topics" which is likely to occupy the attention of Parliament, is the state of Ireland, and particularly of the Church of Ireland. Mr. Goulbourn is bringing in a bill to promote the residence of the Irish clergy on their benefices. The bill will be upon the model of the Consolidation Act in the Church of England (the Act of 1817, George III. anno 57, cap. xcix.) One of its chief features will be to increase the stipends of curates. We forbear to offer the remarks which present themselves to our minds on this intended bill till we know more fully its provisions.

There is yet one topic more, which we must mention as likely to engage, and deservedly, a very large share of the attention of Parliament and of the country, the state of Slavery in the West Indies. We rejoice to see that it occupies so large a share of the King's Speech. The concurrence of the Government with the general feeling of the Public on this point, cannot fail to issue in the adoption of such wise and prudent measures as may safely and certainly put a period to that monstrous system of oppression, in spite of the furious clamours of the colonial taskmasters, and the mendacious statements of their hired advocates in this country. It is now in our power to shew, and we hope to do it fully in our next Number, that even the insurrections, which have alarmed the timid and irresolute among us, have either had no existence, and been actually fabricated to serve a purpose; or, like that in Demerara, have been'

Rev. H. C. Jones, Rector of Westham, to be Archdeacon of Essex.

Rev. Thomas John Burgh, M. A. to be Dean of Cloyne.

Rev. Thos. Wilkinson, a Minor Canon of Carlisle Cathedral.

Rev. J. Hanbury, Vicar Choral of Hereford Cathedral.

Rev. G. Ingram Fisher, Subchanter of Salisbury Cathedral.

Rev. Charles Austin, Tollard Royal R. Wilts.

Rev. T. Brown, St. Andrew's Lectureship Plymouth.

Rev. F. Calvert, Whatfield R. Suffolk. Rev. John Rt. Casberd, Posthkerry R. co. Glamorgan.

Rev. T. B. Clerk, Strafford All Saints' R. Norfolk.

Rev. Rich. Lynch Cotton, Denchworth V. Berks.

Rev. S. Downes, Kilham V. co. York. Rev. Mr. Gleed, Northmoor Curacy, Oxon.

Rev. W. Gooch, Benacre R. Suffolk. Rev. Robert Green, Long Horsley V. Northumberland.

Rev. T. Gronow, Languke Curacy, Glamorganshire.

Rev. J. Jones, St. Thomas Curacy, Oxford.

Rev. John Mavor, Forest Hill Curacy, Oxon.

Rev. R. Prowde, Hinderwell R. Yorkshire.

Rev. Hastings Robinson, St. Sepulchre Curacy, Cambridge.

Rev. E. Thorold, Hougham cum Marston R. Linc.

Rev. Frederick Browning, Uffeulmbe Prebend, in Salisbury Cathedral, vice his father, late Dr. Browning.

Rev. John Still, Rector of Fonthill Gifford, to the Prebendal Stall of Strat

ton in Salisbury Cathedral, vice Hon. and Rev. T. Alfred Harris, dec.

Rev. G. G. Beadon, Axbridge R. So

merset.

Rev. Frederick Browning, M. A. Titchwell R. in Norfolk, vice his father.

Rev. T. W. Champnes, Fulmer R.

Bucks.

Rev. T. Salway, Oswestry V. Salop. Rev. J. S. Scholefield, Luddington V. Lincolnshire.

Rev. S. Turner, Nettleton R. Lincolnshire.

Rev. Richard Waldy, Turnerspuddle R. and Affspuddle V. Dorset.

Rev. P. Walthall, Wistaston R. Cheshire.

Rev. J. B. Williams, Lantwit Major, or Llan Illtyd Fawr; with Liswerni VV. co. Glamorgan.

Rev. T. Burroughes, Chaplain to Duke of York.

Rev. T. Wilkinson, Chaplain to Marquis of Londonderry.

Rev. James Hartley Dunsford, Chaplain to the Earl of Suffolk.

Rev. Joseph Berkeley, Holy Trinity V. Cork.

Rev. James Duffy, S.S. of Craughwell and Ballymena, Vicar Capitular for United Diocese of Kilmaeduagh and Kilfenora.

Rev. T. Lowndes, B. D. Worldham cum Tested V. Hants.

Rev. H. T. Tucker, Uplime R. Devon.